Difference between food allergies and intolerance

Food allergies and food intolerance are two different conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
A food allergy is a serious condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies certain foods as dangerous foreign substances and takes action to defend itself from them. This reaction often involves the release of chemicals such as histamine, leading to symptoms like hives, wheezing, nausea, or vomiting.
On the other hand, food intolerance occurs when a person has difficulty digesting specific types of foods due to an enzyme deficiency or sensitivity. Symptoms may include abdominal pain and bloating but do not involve an allergic response that might be lethal to the body’s immune system.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF FOOD ALLERGY VS. FOOD INTOLERANCE?

Food allergy symptoms could be dangerous if not managed within a short period such as nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, coughing, rash, lightheadedness, itching, and tingling mouth.

Food intolerance symptoms could appear in the form of bloating, diarrhea, cramping, constipation, and gas.

What can people have allergies or intolerance from?

Food allergy from peanuts, milk, tree nuts, fish, soy, eggs, wheat & shellfish
Food intolerance could be from gluten, lactose, strawberries, chocolate, caffeine, milk, and other cheeses.

Dr. Menna El Saeed
Clinical nutritionist & Dietitian AUC/AACME